Enhancing Community Engagement in OEL Asynchronous Classrooms Course Design

This course will build upon the invaluable course design skills Online Education Leadership (OEL) faculty members have already developed, providing them with the tools to propel themselves to enhance community engagement through the Canvas, better reach the needs of the OEL program at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), and have an even more significant impact in the field of education.

Dynamic Preview: Synthesia Video Introduction to the Course Design

Discover my innovative approach to asynchronous classroom engagement by watching this dynamic AI-powered video, designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the course features.

What you’ll get

  • 📈

    Develop a deep understanding of student needs and expectations in asynchronous online learning environments.

  • 🤔

    Understand the challenges and opportunities of building a community in an OEL asynchronous classroom.

  • 👥

    Evaluate the effectiveness of community-building strategies in OEL asynchronous classrooms.

  • 💡

    Connect with learning theories such as constructivism and social cognitive theory, and utilize the provided practical activity instructions and examples directly in your classroom.

  • 🤝

    Explore the use of technology and digital tools to facilitate communication and collaboration.

    Promote inclusivity and diversity within the online learning community.

  • 📝

    Design and implement a curriculum for building an engaged community in their own OEL asynchronous classrooms.

What’s inside

Module 1 Foundations of OEL Online Community Building

This module focuses on the community's pivotal role in the success of students enrolled in the OEL program at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). It uses data from OEL PreK-12 Pathway as an example, recognizes the challenges students face, underscores the OEL program's goals, and emphasizes the significance of cultivating a supportive cohort community in online learning to promote a thriving asynchronous OEL community.

Module 2 Empowering OEL Faculty: Addressing Student Challenges with Constructivism and Social Cognitive Strategies

Module 2 includes two sessions tailored for OEL faculty members. By addressing OEL students' challenges based on past students’ feedback and experiences, OEL faculty will gain practical insights into supporting students within OEL's unique context, fostering a more successful learning.

Module 2 Session 1: Understanding Graduate School Expectations

This session focuses on the problem of graduate school unfamiliarity. It offers strategies, such as the Padlet Profile Board, based on Constructivism learning theory, which encourages active participation and collaborative learning.

Module 2 Session 2: Managing Distractions and Engagement

This session tackles the problem of managing distractions and engagement while introducing an Ongoing Peer Support activity that aligns with social cognitive theory and emphasizes observational learning and self-regulation in the face of work and family demands.

Design Process

My design process begins with identifying the OEL students (target audience) and their learning needs. From there, I start to outline a design document of the course structure, including modules, topics, and activities. Then, develop content, such as activities and assessments, considering accessibility, learning theories, and effective student learning evaluation.

Once the design document is finalized, I proceed to implement the Canvas course, creating the course shell, uploading content, and setting up assignments and assessments.

Continuous review and iteration throughout the process are essential to ensure that the course meets the intended learning outcomes and provides an optimal learning experience for OEL students.

Design Document

Creating a design document is essential for developing a Canvas course, as it serves as a blueprint for the entire process. My design document includes the course objectives, structure, content, assessments, and overall design strategy. It helps me organize my thoughts and ensures alignment with learning goals.

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